Selection of explosive back is about winning now

Nancy Gay

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, April 27, 2008

Photo: Alex Brandon

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###Live Caption:** FILE ** In this Nov. 23, 2007 file photo, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden (5) jumps over LSU safety Craig Steltz during the third overtime period of their college football game in Baton Rouge, La. McFadden is a top prospect in the upcoming 2008 NFL football draft on Saturday, April 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)###Caption History:** FILE ** In this Nov. 23, 2007 file photo, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden (5) jumps over LSU safety Craig Steltz during the third overtime period of their college football game in Baton Rouge, La. McFadden is a top prospect in the upcoming 2008 NFL football draft on Saturday, April 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)###Notes:Darren McFadden, Craig Steltz###Special Instructions:A NOV. 23, 2007 FILE PHOTO EFE OUT less

###Live Caption:** FILE ** In this Nov. 23, 2007 file photo, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden (5) jumps over LSU safety Craig Steltz during the third overtime period of their college football game in Baton ... more

Photo: Alex Brandon

Selection of explosive back is about winning now

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The Raiders had a 1,000-yard rusher last season in Justin Fargas and a crowd of running backs behind him, eager for handoffs to move the chains for the NFL's No. 8 rushing attack.

Looking toward the future, you could assume the Raiders (4-12) would use the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft on a truly pressing need - perhaps a premier defensive or offensive lineman.

But with that $31 million quarterback, JaMarcus Russell, now the full-time starter, this is a win-now year.

Owner Al Davis had his man last February, as soon as the Arkansas running back - already renowned for his bruising running style - lined up at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and posted a eye-popping 4.33 second time in the 40-yard dash.

Breaking that run down further, scouts noticed he had run the final 20 yards in 1.8 seconds.

That's burst. Not bust.

Davis, insiders said, immediately zeroed in on a special player who reminded him of Marcus Allen. Many scouts believe McFadden, whose 4,590 rushing yards in three seasons at Arkansas are second most in SEC history behind Herschel Walker, will be every bit as good as the Vikings' Adrian Peterson, who led the NFC in rushing with 1,341 yards and 12 touchdowns as a rookie last season.

What about all the speculation about trading the valuable pick to gain more choices for an otherwise lean Raiders' draft board, or drafting defensive end Vernon Gholston or defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey to stop leaks on the NFL's 31st-ranked run defense?

Didn't matter.

All along, McFadden was the guy. The Raiders called him as soon as the draft began, to assure the hardscrabble kid from North Little Rock, Ark., who endured tremendous family dysfunction that he was their player.

No games. No B.S.

"I knew months ago that this is a guy that we had to have and we had to figure out a way to get him," said Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, who knew Davis had made this decision at the combine and would not be persuaded otherwise.

What is interesting is, from that day forward, Davis had the approval of every coach in the building, including the defensive side.

Now there is no excuse for not scoring points.

The bedraggled Chiefs got better instantly with the next pick, selecting Dorsey. Now Kansas City has a dominant run stuffer who will go after McFadden twice a year.

Every opponent will stack the box against Oakland. The Raiders will have to deal with this.

A great running back and rushing attack is the best tool a developing young quarterback can have, and Russell's job just got a lot easier. The Raiders will use McFadden in tandem with Fargas. Dominic Rhodes gives them a nice change of pace. Michael Bush? He's got an uphill battle to prove himself now in training camp after missing his entire rookie season.

LaMont Jordan - too bad it didn't work out in Oakland, either from the I-formation or in a two-back set. But you're gone.

As for questions about McFadden's character flaws, let's examine them closely. He grew up in a family of 12 children, in one of the most gang-infested areas of the country. Ever see the HBO documentary, "Gang War: Banging in Little Rock"?

His mother, Mini Muhammad, served five years in federal prison for drug possession. McFadden remembers days wondering whether Mini's crack addiction would take food out of his mouth.

One brother is a Crip; another a Blood. McFadden's publicized fights outside of Little Rock nightspots occurred when he was defending family members. Does that indicate a lack of good judgment? Yes.

But McFadden's burgeoning maturity also showed when he phoned Arkansas coaches and the athletic trainer the night of his second bust, apologizing hysterically.

He acknowledged at the combine that he may have fathered at least two children out of wedlock. McFadden, 20, said later that one of the DNA tests ruled he wasn't the father. He's awaiting results of the second.

Meanwhile, you don't hear too many folks roundly criticizing Tom Brady or Matt Leinart for fathering children without the benefit of marriage.

McFadden is young, and he'll come to the Bay Area with his older sister to watch over him. He'll grow up alongside Russell, another SEC product.

On a sleek first day of the draft, propelled by reduced time between picks and a limit to two rounds, most NFL teams made their selections based strictly on need. That explained the multitude of trades, the fact that seven teams picked defensive players in the first 11 picks, and an NFL record seven offensive tackles selected in the first round.

The 49ers with the 29th overall pick, even trumped the Mike Martz instinct to pick an offensive playmaker by drafting a player who will take over for retired team leader Bryant Young. Defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer, a huge nose tackle prospect from North Carolina, was an excellent first-round choice.

The first three picks were all for need - Miami signing No. 1 overall selection defensive end Jake Long last Tuesday; the Rams grabbing athletic, high-motor defensive end Chris Long at No. 2 and the Falcons putting the ghost of Michael Vick to rest by picking Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan at No. 3.

Maybe the Raiders broke rank a little at No. 4, picking the great athlete over the greatest need.

If you know Davis, this shouldn't surprise you. If you want Oakland to compete in the AFC West immediately, then McFadden to the Raiders was the obvious choice.

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